Hug Those You Love Often

Hey, Marcus here.  I want to remind you to hug your furries and all the humans you care about as often as possible because you don't know what tomorrow (or even today) holds.

A number of years ago, way before my time, there was a doxy (dachshund) on the  route Buddy and Merci walked Jan.  It ran loose and believed it owned quite a bit of territory going up the hill.  It was always carrying on, even crossing the road to snap and growl.  Jan took to carrying a golf club as suggested by a neighbor (he even provided the club) to protect herself but golf clubs were not intended as weapons.

A woman (not the owner) used to come collect the doxy and walk it back to her place to confine it inside their fence so Jan could walk in peace.  One day things reached a dangerous level.  The doxy was circling them, snapping at their heels with anger.  Jan was trying to stay on her feet and not be tangled in Buddy and Merci's leashes.  They couldn't move on, only try to hold their ground.

A boy from that house heard the ruckus and started to run toward them.  He was unsuccessful in getting the doxy's attention.  A man came from that house carrying a baseball bat.  He came a short distance, then returned home.  Jan believes he was coming after her dogs with the bat but saw which dog was the aggressor and changed his mind.  The boy finally captured the doxy.  It was never seen again.  Either they adopted it and kept it penned with their own dachshunds, or --

Now imagine Jan's surprise Tuesday evening when she learned the polite, friendly young man she has been talking with on our walks for a couple of years or more lives in that house.  Yes, the boy grew up and likes to practice tricks on his bike.  I like to get attention from the guy and growl at his bike.

Before sundown Tuesday, we learned the young man's family was in process of moving to his late grandfather's house. He and Jan laughed about the angry dachshund.  He said we would still see him around but not as often.

Wednesday morning there were sirens - fire trucks, police cars, ambulances speeding past.  Something came up and we didn't get to walk that day.  Early Thursday we heard on the local news the young man's home had burned.  We walked up the hill and this is what we found.

The young man's dad had just left.  He smelled smoke and tried to put out the fire with a hose.

 He was able to save one dog.  Two others died in the fire.

When the fire department arrived, flames were already through the roof.  The cause is unknown.

 It was just a year or so ago another house on our walking route was destroyed by fire.  There is an empty lot there now.  Soon this lot too will be empty.

It only takes a moment and lives are forever changed.  Furries or loved ones are gone.  So be kind and hug those you love often.

We are joining Flashback Friday.  To see other blog entries and/or to enter your own blog, visit the Five Sibes.